Abundance, relative home range and species - habitat association of small mammal species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Home ranges play an important role in the ecology of small mammals in understanding the driving factors for variations between species, including; mating patterns, foraging behavior and habitat use. We investigated the abundance, relative home ranges and species-habitat association of small mammal species in the Nyerere National Park. Two habitats; closed woodland and seasonal riverine forest were selected and in each habitat two grids of 70m x 70m were established. The Capture Mark Recapture technique was deployed. From July 2018 to June 2020 a total of 732 small mammal individuals belonging to 19 species were captured. Of the 19 species captured, 12 were rodents, 2 insectivores, 4 carnivores; and 1 primate. Acomys ngurui abundance was not statistically significant different between habitats (W = 220, df = 1, p = 0.144) and across seasons (F(2, 45) = 1.41, p = 0.2547)). While, Mastomys natalensis and Lemniscomys rosalia were statistically significant different (W = 407, p = 0.01 and W=430.5, p=0.002 respectively) between habitats and across seasons (F(2,45) = 4.352, p = 0.019 and F(2,45) = 6.321, p = 0.0038 respectively). Acomys ngurui had the largest mean home range size (1,087.58 m2) than L. rosalia (831.55 m2) and M. natalensis (166 m2) with overlaps being recorded in habitats and across seasons. Most small mammals were associated with seasonal riverine forest. We conclude that, small mammal species abundance and home ranges vary with habitats and seasons for individual species in the Nyerere National Park. We recommend to the management of the park to consider small mammals in their general management plan.

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Records of seven small mammal species (Insectivora, Chiroptera) new to the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v22i1.652 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. L Rautenbach ◽

G De Graaff ◽

U De V Pienaar

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Collecting Expedition ◽

The Republic ◽

First Time ◽

Small Mammal Species

On a recent collecting expedition in the Kruger National Park, the occurrence of seven species of small mammals (one shrew and six bats) within the confines of this sanctuary was confirmed for the first time. One species (Pipistrellus rusticus) is reported for the first time from within the borders of the Transvaal, whereas another species (Myotis bocagei) is reported for the first time for the Republic of South Africa. The seven species are briefly discussed and the collections where the specimens have been accessioned are indicated.

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The influence of fire on populations of small mammals of the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v24i1.624 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

N. G Kern

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Species Composition ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Low Diversity ◽

Small Mammal Species

A total of 16 000 trap-nights was employed over eleven months to examine the influence of burning on small mammal populations in two major veld-types of the Kruger National Park. Four burning treatments (control, annual August burning, triennial August and April burning) were examined in detail and the following parameters determined: small mammal species composition, population density, biomass and species diversity. The control treatment had a high, stable small mammal density, biomass and diversity; the annual burning treatment had a low diversity and was dominated by Tatera leucogaster. The triennial burning treatments showed a cycle of species composition from domination by T. leucogaster following burning, through domination by other rodent species to domination by Crocidura hirta at the end of the cycle. The distributions and movements of the small mammals can be explained in terms of cover and litter preferences.

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An attempt to determine the size of the Common Barn-owl’s (Tyto alba) hunting area based on its prey composition

Avian Biology Research ◽

10.1177/17581559211066091 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175815592110660

Author(s):

Jenő J Purger ◽

Dávid Szép

Keyword(s):

Functional Groups ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Barn Owl ◽

Tyto Alba ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Open Forest ◽

Prey Composition ◽

Small Mammal Species ◽

Owl Pellets

The relative abundance of small mammal species detected from Common Barn-owl pellets reflects the landscape structure and habitat pattern of the owl’s hunting area, but it is also affected by the size of the collected pellet sample and the size of the supposed hunting area. The questions arise: how many pellets should be collected and analyzed as well as how large hunting area should be taken into consideration in order to reach the best correspondence between the owl’s prey composition and the distribution of habitats preferred by small mammals preyed in supposed hunting areas? For this study, we collected 1045 Common Barn-owl pellets in a village in southern Hungary. All detected small mammal species were classified into functional groups (guilds) preferring urban, open, forest and wetland habitats. The proportion of functional groups was compared to the proportion of these habitats around the pellet collection site within circles of one, two, and three km radius. Saturation curves showed that at least 300 pellets or ca. 600 mammalian remains are required for the detection of the 19 small mammal species. The share of small mammals detected in the prey and their functional groups according to their habitat preference showed an increasing consistency with the distribution of real habitats in the potential hunting area of a radius of 3 km around the owl’s breeding or resting place.

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Flea Communities on Small Mammals in Lowland Environment

Ekológia (Bratislava) ◽

10.2478/eko-2020-0020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 260-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ivan Baláž ◽

Martina Zigová

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

Four Seasons ◽

Small Mammal Species

AbstractThe landscape of south-western Slovakia is characterised by anthropogenous reshaping, while fragments of undisturbed, waterlogged habitats have been preserved in what remains of the meandering ancient Žitava River. These refuges are inhabited by various small mammal species and their blood-sucking ectoparasites. Between 2014 and 2018, research on them was carried out in Slovakia’s Danubian Lowland (Podunajská nížina) during three out of the four seasons (spring, summer and autumn). The small mammals were captured at 27 localities. The occurrence of nine flee species from the Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae and Ceratophyllidae families was documented on 12 small burrowing mammals. During the course of all the seasons in which research was conducted, Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, C. assimilis, Megabothris turbidus a Nosopsyllus fasciatus were found, among the most dominant species to be seen on small burrowing mammals.

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Non-volant mammals, Parque Nacional do Catimbau, Vale do Catimbau, Buíque, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, with karyologic data

Check List ◽

10.15560/6.1.180 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 180 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Lena Geise ◽

Roberta Paresque ◽

Harley Sebastião ◽

Leila T. Shirai ◽

Diego Astúa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Mammal ◽

National Park ◽

The State ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Park Area ◽

Small Mammal Species ◽

Mammal Survey

We report the results of a terrestrial small mammal survey at one National Park in the northeastern Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco. The Catimbau National Park is located within the Caatinga domain with the characteristic thorn scrub vegetation. Our sampling encompasses several different vegetation/habitat types within the park area. All specimens collected were prepared as vouchers to be deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo. Karyotypes were obtained for all representative purported species collected. We report here the results of this first survey – two species of marsupials and seven of rodents - and added new occurrence localities for several small mammal species of this region, provide karyotypic information and register an undescribed species of arboreal rat of the genus Rhipidomys. This survey illustrates the need for extensive and planned sampling of the Caatinga domain.

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Ecology of mites (Acarina) on small mammals (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia) in Podunajská nížina plain

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-012-0133-7 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zuzana Poláčiková

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Research Area ◽

Ecological Groups ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Ecological Evaluation ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Mite Communities ◽

Small Mammal Species

AbstractThis study deals with the species distribution and structure of mite communities living in the fur of small mammals. Mesostigmatic mites (Acarina: Mesostigmata) of several small mammal species were studied at several sites of Slovakia situated in the Podunajská nížna lowland. The aims deal with ecological evaluation of mesostigmatic mites and their small mammal hosts. The research was done from 2005 to 2007. Several small mammal species were caught at 16 sites in the research area. These represent 13 types of biotopes. On the captured small mammals we recorded 3,141 individuals of mesostigmatic mites (7 families and 22 species). The dominance and the diversity of the recorded mites were analysed. Mites being interpreted as the variable one were evaluated by cluster analysis and multifactor analysis (detrended correspondence analysis, principal components analysis, redundancy analysis). Small terrestrial mammals as hosts of mites represent “holders” of environmental factors, in the analysis they are being evaluated as explanatory variable mainly. They transform direct impact of the environment and for that reason the ecological evaluation of mites is specific comparing to other taxonomical and ecological groups of animals.

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The scientific, financial and ethical implications of three common wildlife-trapping designs

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr19084 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (8) ◽

pp. 690 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Helen P. Waudby ◽

Sophie Petit ◽

Matthew J. Gill

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Capture Rate ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Ethical Implications ◽

Small Mammal Species ◽

Capture Rates

Abstract ContextTrapping design influences information collected about wildlife populations and biodiversity. Trapping is also resource-intensive and has animal welfare implications. AimsThe scientific, financial and ethical performances of three trap designs were compared for estimating diversity and sampling small vertebrates. MethodsSmall vertebrates were trapped over 16 trapping sessions, from April 2009 to May 2011, with aluminium box-style (Elliott) traps and two pitfall trap designs (shallow–wide and deep–narrow), in an arid environment. Key resultsShallow pitfalls recorded highest overall species richness (S=22) and diversity (qD=10.622), reptile diversity (qD=8.112) and reptile capture rates (13.600 individuals per 100 trap nights). Shallow and deep pitfalls sampled ~79.0% and 85.0% (respectively) more small mammals than did Elliott traps. Deep pitfalls sampled the greatest diversity (qD=6.017) and number (29.700 individuals per 100 trap nights) of small mammals, and captured the greatest number of small mammal species (0.003) and individuals (0.106) per dollar. Shallow pitfalls were the most cost-efficient trap type for sampling reptile species (0.003) and individuals (0.044) per dollar. Between-session recapture rates were greatest in Elliott traps, indicating an increased likelihood of biased capture rates for certain small mammal species over time. Elliott traps were the least efficient traps on most scientific and cost measures, and recorded the greatest overall recapture rates, particularly for Sminthopsis crassicaudata and S. macroura. Body size of one species only, the nationally threatened Pseudomys australis, influenced its capture rate, with larger individuals more likely to be caught in deep pitfalls. Mortality was highest in pitfalls and mostly related to interactions between animals caught in the same trap. Key conclusionsShallow pitfalls are suitable for studies focused on estimating species richness, and reptile diversity and abundance. Deep pitfalls are cost-effective for sampling small mammals. Ethical issues associated with pitfalls could be managed by checking traps more often at night, and/or including materials that provide increased protection from predators caught in the same trap, particularly during periods of high abundance. ImplicationsTrap design profoundly influences cost-effectiveness and welfare outcomes of wildlife research. We provide a tool to assist cost-benefit related decisions.

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Field tests of competitive interference for space among temperate-zone rodents

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z83-204 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 61 (7) ◽

pp. 1517-1523 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Douglas W. Morris

Keyword(s):

Small Mammal ◽

National Park ◽

Field Tests ◽

Temperate Zone ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Competitive Interference ◽

Point Pelee ◽

Mammal Faunas ◽

Point Pelee National Park ◽

Small Mammal Species

Within-habitat distributions of common rodent species in two temperate-zone small mammal faunas were analyzed by a series of interaction tests to evaluate the hypothesis that the distribution and abundance of these animals is determined by competitive interference for space. In the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Peromyscus maniculatus and Clethrionomys gapperi were independently distributed and there was no consistent relationship between the densities of the two species over a broad range of habitats. At Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus pennsylvanicus distributions were also independent of one another, and again there was no relationship between the densities of these rodents across habitats. These field tests favour rejection of the hypothesis of competitive interference for space among temperate-zone small mammal species.

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Density and home range of feral cats in north-western Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr14180 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 223 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Hugh W. McGregor ◽

Sarah Legge ◽

Joanne Potts ◽

Menna E. Jones ◽

Christopher N. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Home Range ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Low Density ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Feral Cats ◽

North Western

Context Feral cats (Felis catus) pose a significant threat to biodiversity in Australia, and are implicated in current declines of small mammals in the savannas of northern Australia. Basic information on population density and ranging behaviour is essential to understand and manage threats from feral cats. Aims In this study, we provide robust estimates of density and home range of feral cats in the central Kimberley region of north-western Australia, and we test whether population density is affected by livestock grazing, small mammal abundance and other environmental factors. Methods Densities were measured at six transects sampled between 2011 and 2013 using arrays of infrared cameras. Cats were individually identified, and densities estimated using spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis. Home range was measured from GPS tracking of 32 cats. Key results Densities were similar across all transects and deployments, with a mean of 0.18 cats km–2 (range = 0.09–0.34 km–2). We found no evidence that population density was related to livestock grazing or abundance of small mammals. Home ranges of males were, on average, 855 ha (±156 ha (95% CI), n = 25), and those of females were half the size at 397 ha (±275 ha (95% CI), n = 7). There was little overlap in ranges of cats of the same sex. Conclusions Compared with elsewhere in Australia outside of semiarid regions, feral cats occur at low density and have large home ranges in the central Kimberley. However, other evidence shows that despite this low density, cats are contributing to declines of small mammal populations across northern Australia. Implications It will be very difficult to reduce these already-sparse populations by direct control. Instead, land-management practices that reduce the impacts of cats on prey should be investigated.

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Effects of landscape type and extensive management on use of motorway roadsides by small mammals

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z98-203 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 108-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Francis D Meunier ◽

Johanna Corbin ◽

Christophe Verheyden ◽

Pierre Jouventin

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Common Vole ◽

Wood Mouse ◽

Individual Species ◽

Landscape Matrix ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Landscape Type ◽

Population Peak ◽

Relative Abundances

We compared the relative abundances of small mammals along extensively managed motorway roadsides (with a narrow mown strip adjacent to the roadway) in three distinct landscapes (garrigue, pine plantation, and intensive farmland), to evaluate the relative effects of management and landscape traversed on roadside small-mammal populations. In each landscape, the landscape matrix (adjacent habitats), the mown strip, and the intervening unmown strip of roadside were sampled using snap traps. The roadside communities differed from those of landscape matrices, both in the relative abundances of individual species and in the proportion of each species captured. Species richness was greater on roadsides than in cropland and pine plantations, but there was no difference in the garrigue landscape. However, this greater richness was due to species that were rarely caught. The three dominant species (93.7% of captures), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and common vole (Microtus arvalis), were generally more abundant on roadsides than in the landscape matrices, especially in the unmown strip in the case of the first two species. Voles showed seasonal variation, being more abundant in mown strips at the population peak. The ecotone attributes of extensively managed motorway roadsides seem to be favourable to most small-mammal species, regardless of the landscape matrix.

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